Pakistani FM says U.S. attitude turns positive

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Thursday that the successful operations and policy against terrorism by Pakistani authorities influenced Washington to rethink over its attitude and policy toward Pakistan.

The foreign minister was giving a policy statement regarding Pakistan-U.S. strategic dialogue in the upper house of Pakistani parliament, Senate. Qureshi returned earlier this week from Washington after holding the dialogue with U.S. officials.

He said that the Pakistani forces launched successful operations in Pakistan's Swat, Malakand, Bajaur and South Waziristan tribal area, a hometown of Tehrek-e-Taliban leadership in the northwest part of the country.

Pakistan adopted 3D (dialogue, development and deterrence) policy against terrorism that was successful in the Pakistan's tribal areas, bordering Afghanistan, and other parts of the country.

"Now the U.S. realizes the sacrifices of Pakistani security forces and the people in war on terror," Qureshi said.

He said the environment in Washington was different from the past, the dialogue with America was different from earlier ones and the response from U.S. was very forthcoming.

The foreign minister said that Pakistani delegation visited Washington after homework and this time civilian as well as military leadership of the country conveyed same thing to America during the dialogue.

He said that a sectoral track was chosen for the dialogue and important issues such as energy, water, agriculture and trade were included in the track.

Most importantly, Americans agreed on strategic stability in the region, Qureshi said.

Source: Xinhua